Sheriff: Baby found dead near Chesterfield County home wasn't abducted, mother is suspect

by Tonya Brown, WPDE

HARLEE LANE LEWIS.jpg

Chesterfield County, S.C. (WPDE) — A baby girl was found dead after her mother initially told police the child was abducted from her arms outside a home off of Jackson Road in Chesterfield County, according Chesterfield County Sheriff Jay Brooks.

But Brooks says they now believe the baby was not abducted and the mother is their primary suspect.

The mother is being questioned right now, according to Brooks.

Initial reports, according to Brooks, were that the woman told police she walked to her mailbox with the child in her arms when a man pulled up in a gold or tan SUV and hit her in the head multiple times, almost knocking her out. She said the man then took the baby from her and left in the SUV.

Deputies responding to the scene found the body of the infant hidden inside a diaper box about 1,000 yards from the home, according to Brooks.

An Amber Alert was issued for the child, identified as 11-month-old Harlee Lane Lewis, before she was found dead and before Brooks said they began to question the abduction story.

The mother told police she had never seen the man who reportedly assaulted her before. She said he was wearing a gray toboggan hat, which was covering his face, a long black rain jacket and one black glove, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

Brooks said SLED and the FBI are assisting in the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office at (843) 623-2101 or 911.